Gorkha strike cuts off access to Sikkim for second consecutive day

Gangtok, Feb 26 (ANI): An indefinite strike by the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GMM) in the Darjeeling Hills continues to cut off Sikkim from the rest of the country. Movement of vehicular traffic on the National Highway 31 A that connects Sikkim to Siliguri remained suspended for the second day today because of the strike. The GMM is opposing the implementation of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution in the Darjeeling Hills and also demanding a separate Gorkhaland state. The GMM, which had earlier exempted vehicular movement from the strike, intensified its agitation on Monday by banning Sikkim licensed vehicles from passing through the area. As a result, tourists and others in Sikkim and Siliguri are stranded. The State Government, with the help of the Darjeeling District Administration tried to arrange for their safe passage under police escort this morning, but without luck. The agitators are not allowing more than three four vehicles to move along the highway. (ANI)